Window channel construction



an. C. J. M KINNEY WINDOW CHANNEL CONSTRUCTION Original Filed July 1,1947 //V I/EN TOR CARLOS J Mc K/N/VE) ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 5, 1954WINDOW CHANNEL CONSTRUCTION Carlos J. McKinney, Detroit, Mich., assignorto The General Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of OhioOriginal application July 1, 1947, Serial No. 758,319. Divided and thisapplication July 11, 1950, Serial No. 173,037

6 Claims.

This invention relates to window construction and more particularly tothe sealing of windows such as are used in automotive vehicles and whichhave movable lights or glass.

The doors and bodies of automobiles and other vehicles customarily havewindow openings fitted with movable lights or glass panels and suchopenings may be provided with contour sealing strips or wind-lacingwhich serve as weather seals between the window frames and the movableglass lights and which also cushion the glass to minimize rattling ofthe latter. Many window contours are intricate, involving acute anglesand short radius bends.

In order to provide these more intricate window contours with sealingstrips, the general practice has been to install one strip along thehorizontal bottom portion of the window and a second U-shaped channelstrip around the remaining portion of the window.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide atype of sealing strip which will fit completely around a window contourand eliminate the necessity for using two types of sealing strip on eachwindow with the corresponding advantages from the reduction in costs ofmanufacture and assembly.

Various constructions and designs embodying cross slits in a metal stripto permit edgewise bending have been evolved, but these have been foundto lack strength and durability. Consequently, contour weather strippingwithout transverse slots which is also capable of being bent around theshort radius bends is to be preferred because of its greater strengthand durability. Because of the difiiculty of bending said metal stripwithout buckling and crimping, however, this has been difficult todevelop.

Another object of the invention is to provide a generally improvedunslotted, bendable, and continuous edge type of contour sealing stripor wind-lacing for vehicle windows having movable lights or panels; moreparticularly to provide, in combination with a window structure having aframe including a glass receiving channel, a liner comprising a thinmetal strip with which is assembled a ribbon or cushion of deformableglass contacting material.

It is another object of the invention to provide, in the combinationmentioned, an improved means for attaching the sealing or contour stripto one wall of the glass receiving channel of the window structure.

' Another object is to provide, in combination with a window structurehaving a glass receiving channel, a liner serving as an ornamental trimor finish for the edge of the window frame and also as a seal forcontacting the glass light of the window assembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method ofassembling a contour sealing strip in a window structure wherein onecontinuous metal portion of the sealing strip is positioned and securedto the glass receiving channel wall and thereafter a continuousdeformable glass contacting body or strip is assembled with the metalportion by interfitting the same therewith and the parts are held inassembled relation by means of the interfitting relationship.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention reside in certainfeatures of construction and arrangements of parts which will becomeapparent as the following detailed description of the invention is made.This description is made in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an automotive vehicledoor showing the window therein;

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail through the window of Fig. 1 takensubstantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1 and enlarged with respect to thatfigure;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of one of the spring wire fasteners usedto hold the sealing strip in assembled relation with the wall of theglass channel;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section and with parts brokenaway and removed, of

r the window liner shown in Fig. 2 and enlarged with respect to thatfigure; and

Figs. 5-8 are somewhat diagrammatic sectional details showing successivesteps in assembling the liner of the present invention in a windowstructure in accordance with the method of the present invention.

The contour or sealing strip of the present invention may be used aroundwindow openings of various shapes in either the door or the body of anautomobile. Fig. 1 illustrates a window contour or shape that is used inautomobile doors. The construction of a door of this type includes innerand outer sheet metal panels H and I2 (Fig. 2) that are formed as bystamping and have the desired contours and configurations. These panelsare marginally secured together and have strengthening cross members,not shown. Around the window opening, the panels are curved inwardlytoward one anotherproviding frame contours [4. The marginal edges 3 ofthe panels are bent or formed at an angle to the frame contours Hi toprovide spaced generally parallel wall portions l5 disposed inconfronting relation to one another and providing glass receivingchannel.

The window opening is fitted with a movable panel or glass light 8 whichis raised and lowered by a mechanical operator, not shown, havingconnection with a channel member is secured along the bottom edge of theglass.

To guide the movement of the glass 8 in the channel formed between theconfronting wall portions it of the window frame, a liner in the form ofa sealing or contour strip is supported on the edge of each of the panelwalls l5.

By making the liner shellof very thinsheet metal, it can be sufficientlydeformed to bend it edgewise around curves of small radius in adaptingit to complex automobile window contours. The thin sheet metal used,which may be as thin as from about 22 to about 36 gauge, preferably'about 28 gauge, is strengthened and reinforced against undesirabledeformation and mutilation in use by having its side marginal edgesrolled toward one another. For example, a contour or sealing stripconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present inventionis shown in Figs. 2 and 3 wherein the sheet metal strip includes a webportion I, having side marginal edges 2 and 3 bent or rolled toward oneanother providing spaced parallel channels 3 and 5 which are'disposed inconfronting relation to one another wholly on one side of the plane ofthe web.

A cushion body or ribbon 6 is disposed against the web I of the metalstrip and extends longitudi'nally thereof. The cushion ribbon may be aplastic compound such as reclaimed rubber calendered or extruded insheet form and adhered to the web of the metal strip. The marginal sideedges of the cushion body are received in the channels 4 and 5 of themetal strip and the cushion body is thus held in place by aninterlocking arrangement and wholly within the confines of the metalshell.

Extending laterally from the central portion of the cushion body orribbon 6 are a multiplicity of hair-like filaments or fabric tufts whichare of resilient nature and serve to engage the movable glass windowlight 8 to form a weather seal theragainst and to cushion the glass soas to prevent rattling thereof. The tufts 1' may be individuallyembedded in the cushion body 6 so as to extend therefrom in generallyparallel relation to one another. A convenient construction is one inwhich the tufts l are formed on a woven strip of fabric material andsuch fabric is bonded to or partially embedded in the surface of thecushion body 6.

The rubber or plastic body or ribbon 6 is extruded in place on the web Iof the metal strip, the latter being passed through the extruding die.While the plastic or rubber composition is hot and tacky as it emergesfrom the extruding die, a fabric strip having the tufts l is immediatelyapplied thereto and pressed in place by rollers. The channels 4 and 5may be formed by rolling the edges 2 and 3 of the strip before it -ispassed through the extruding die or, alternatively, the cushion body 6and the tufted fabric may be first applied to the strip and then theedges 2 and 3 rolle'dabout the edges of the cushion body to form thechannels. The rubber composition is compounded to have a consisti encycorresponding to that of stiff putty so that the fabric becomes stronglybonded to or partially embedded therein. The assembled strips are curedin an autoclave or similar heater.

At uniformly spaced intervals along the length of the thin metal strip,a series of elongated openings It are formed centrally in the webportion i. These openings are elongated in the direction of the striplength and are preferably formed prior to the application of thedeformable cushion 6 to the strip so that the openings are covered orsealed by the material of the cushion. V

In mounting the contour strips in the channel of a window opening,spring metal fasteners 13 such as shown in Fig. 3 may be used. Thesefasteners extend through the elongated openings ill and through similaropenings or slots 2| formed in the walls is of the glass receivingchannel. The spring fasteners have an interlocking action which retainsthe parts in assembled relation.

The spring metal fasteners l3 are bent from strips of resilient steel orbrass wire. Each fastener is of integral or one-piece construction andhas a pointed end formed by a central bend from which extend angularlydisposed divergent portions 17. Convergent portions [8 are formed ascontinuations of the divergent portions.

i9 that are disposed adjacent one another and terminate in angularlydisposed divergent feet 20..

Prior to assembling the parts of the window structure, the contourstrips are first preformed on a machine or by hand with jigs and formsto fit the window shape. If desired, the strip can be used only'on thelower, horizontal section of the window. In order to reduce productionand assembly costs, however, and to take full advantage of thisinvention, the strip should be preformed or shaped to fit completelyaround the window. After the strip has been shaped, the web portions lof the thin metal contour strips or sheets are disposed fiatwise againstthe channel walls [5 with the elongated openings ID of When theindividual fasteners are in place, the

convergent walls It thereof engage in the ends of the slots 2! formed inthe channel walls 15 and by reason of the resiliency of the metalfastener tend to draw the contour strip tightly against the channelwalls, the feet of the fastener being drawn so as to bear against theweb portions I of the contour strips beyond the ends of the slots H).

In Figs. 5 through 8 is illustrated a modification of the inventionwherein the thin metalstrip or shell of the seal and the deformablecushion body or ribbon thereof are formed or made separately and areassembled in -place on the window structure. The .metal strip issubstantially the same as that previously described and the partsthereof have been indicated by the Where the convergent portions ['8'come together, they are bent to form parallel portions While samenumerals of reference asused in connection with the preceding figures.These figures showa fragment of but one of the side panels of the door,it being understood that the other door panel and the sealing of contourstrip mounted thereon for the other side of the glass receivingchannelmay be similarly construct'e and assembled. i

Fig. 5 shows the relative order of assembly of the parts, the web ,ofthe metal strip being disposed in parallel relation to the wall portionit of the window frame with the slots ll) of the contour strip alignedwith the slots 2| of the frame flange. The fastening elements 13constructed as shown in Fig. 3 are then inserted through the. alignedslots to retain the parts in assembled relation with the web, i of themetal strip held snugly against the-inturned wall forming flange [5 ofthe'window frame.

The assembled parts are illustrated in Fig. 6 which shows the manner inwhich the feet 29 of the fasteners I3 engage the web I of the metalstrip to hold the latter against the Wall of the glass channel.

The deformable cushion body or ribbon for this modified form of contoursealing strip is indicated at 23 and corresponds to the body or ribbon 6previously described. Tufts 24 are applied to or partially embedded inthe deformable cushion 23, and correspond to the tufts '5 previouslydescribed. The deformable body 23 carrying the tufts 24 is madeseparately from the metal strip and is calendered or extruded to thedesired shape and cured so as to have shape retaining resiliency. Therolled edges 2 and 3 are formed on the metal strip prior to assemblywith the window frame providing the channels 4 and 5.

After the metal strip has been secured to the window frame in the mannerdescribed, the deformable body ribbon carrying the tufts 24 isinterfitted with the metal strip by pinching the edges of the bodytogether to clear the inturned rolled edges of the metal strip, as shownin Fig.

7. The resiliency of the deformable body enables it to resume itsnatural or unstressed shape, the edges thereof expanding into thechannels 4 and 5 of the metal strip so that the deformable body orribbon is held or interlocked in the metal strip as shown in Fig. 8.

The arrangement described in connection with Figs. 5 through 8 isparticularly advantageous because it provides for replacement of thedeformable body 23, and the tufts 24 should the latter become worn ordamaged. To replace the tufted cushion ribbon, the latter is merelypried loose and pulled out of the channels of the metal strip shell anda new resilient ribbon carrying tufts is assembled with the metal stripin the manner described.

The metal strip of this and the other embodiments of the inventionprovides an attractive trim strip which outlines the entire periphery ofthe window. An ornamental paint is applied to the strip prior toassembly in the window structure, or the strip is plated with a brightmetal such as nickel or chromium.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 758,319, filedJuly 1, 1947, and now U. S. Patent No. 2,523,839.

The principles of the present invention may be utilized in various ways,numerous modifications and alterations being contemplated, substitutionof parts and changes in construction being resorted to as desired, itbeing understood that the 6 embodiments shown in the drawings and de--:scribed above and the particular method set forth are'given merely forpurposes of explanation and illustration without intendingto limit thescope of the claims to the specific details disclosed. I w What I claimis: i l 1.' In combination with a window structure having a frameproviding a glass receiving channel including a substantially fiat wallportion a liner comprising athin metal strip having a substantially fiatweb portion disposed fiatwise against the channel wall portion, marginalside portions of said strip being rolled toward one another providingspaced parallel channels dis". posed in confronting relation to oneanother, a

' series of elongated openings formed inthe web of the strip, aperturesin the channel wall aligned with the strip openings, resilient meansextendingthrough the openings and apertures and:hav-i ing interlockingconnection with the strip and the channel wall to retain the stripagainst the wall, a ribbon of resilient rubberlike material ofsubstantially the same width as the width of the flat web portion and ofa thickness less than the thickness of the channels interlocked in thechannels of the strip and tufted cushion material extending laterallyfrom said ribbon for contacting a glass window in the channel.

2. A liner for a window glass channel or the like comprising acontinuous sheet metal strip having a substantially flat central webportion and marginal side portions rolled toward one another providingspaced parallel channels disposed in confronting relation to one anotherand wholly onone side of the plane of the web portion of the strip, aribbon of resilient cushioning material disposed against the web portionof the strip and having its side edges received in the channels wherebythe ribbon is interlocked with the strip and retained in assembledrelation thereto, and a multiplicity of deformable glass contactingtufts secured to the ribbon and extending laterally therefrom betweenthe rolled side portions of the strip.

3. In combination with a window structure having a frame providing aglass receiving channel including a substantially fiat wall portion, aliner comprising a thin metal strip disposed fiatwise against thechannel wall portion and having spaced apertures therein, a cushionribbon with tufted material thereon disposed against the strip along thelength thereof, and resilient fasteners extending through the stripopenings and into the wall of the glass receiving channel to retain theparts in assembled relation, the marginal edge portions of the stripbeing formed in confronting relation about the cushion ribbon edges tohold such ribbon in place.

4. In combination with a window structure having a frame providing aglass receiving channel including a substantially fiat wall portion, aliner comprising a thin metal strip having a substantially flat webportion disposed fiatwise against the channel wall portion, the stripbeing formed to provide spaced confronting channels, a cushion ribbondisposed against the web nortion of the strip and having edges receivedin the channels of the strip, a glass engaging tufted cushion narrowerthan the cushion ribbon disposed against the latter and means fasteningthe glass engaging ribbon to the cushion ribbon to retain the parts inassembled relation.

5. In combination with a window structure having a frame providing aglass receiving channel; including; a substantially flat wall portion; aliner: comprising. a thin. metal; strip having; a substantially fiatvweb portiondisposed: flatwise: against the: channel wall portion;marginal side portions of said; strip being, rolled toward one anotherproviding spaced parallel channeL disposed in confronting relation toone another, a resiiient ribbon. of substantially the samewidth as:that; of said metal strip; disposed against said web: portionv with itsedge: portions; received in:

saidLSpaced parallel channels, deformable glass contacting material.secured to: the ribbon and extending laterally therefrom between therolled s dfi portions of the strip, and resilient fastening;

8 piece or resi1ie e & 8; bent" o prov de, a point and divergentportions extending there;

from,othe divergent portions terminatingin bends which are continuouswith convergent portion and each of the convergent portions having: anan ul rly disposed mot ne t d th etoand.

movable therewith upon deformation of, the

wire.

CARLOS J1 MCKINNEY,

References Cited in theof patent UNITED. STATES- PATENTS

